GenDyn Electric Boat wins acoustic detection contract

General Dynamics-Electric Boat has been contracted by the Navy for a vertical array acoustic detection capability for submarines.

Flank array sonars, in yellow circles, are seen on the USS Coronado before its christening. Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat

Aug. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy is contracting General Dynamics - Electric Boat Corp. to produce and install large vertical array acoustic detection capability to submarines, the Department of Defense announced on Thursday.

The cost-plus-incentive-fee and firm-fixed-price contract award is worth $64,217,408. The contracting authority is Naval Sea Systems Command, in Washington, D.C.

The DOD said the new LVA technology to be developed will be installed on the submarines' exterior. The Impact on the vessels' architecture, hydrodynamics, and submarine signatures would be minimal.

If all contract options are exercised, the award value would increase to $882,142,220. Fiscal 2017 research, development, test and evaluation funding from the Navy in the amount of $13,129,253 will be obligated at time of the award and will not expire at the end of the 2017.